On the night of 3 October, a large Russian complex for the storage, preparation and launch of strike UAVs near the village of Tsymbulova in the Oryol Region came under a massive attack. Monitoring sources report that NASA’s FIRMS system began detecting thermal anomalies in the vicinity of the facility at approximately 01:33, and by 06:45, around ten fire outbreaks had been counted near the complex.
- On the night of 3 October, the «Cymbulova» drone port came under attack.
- NASA’s FIRMS detected thermal anomalies in the vicinity of the complex from 01:33.
- As of 06:45, there were reports of around ten fires.
- The complex is used for the storage, preparation and launch of attack and jet UAVs.
What is known about the night-time attack
The first reports of an attack on «Cymbula» began to emerge on the morning of 3 October. The monitoring service Falcon Insight reported a massive attack and several fires in the area where Russian strike drones are stored, prepared and launched. This information was picked up by the Ukrainian media.
At the specified coordinates 53°22′01.06″N 35°49′12.57″E NASA’s FIRMS satellite service detected a series of thermal anomalies. As of 06:45, approximately ten sources of fire were reported in the vicinity of the complex. The exact locations of the strikes, the extent of the damage and the number of damaged UAVs or launchers have not yet been independently verified.
Russian official sources did not report that «Cymbula» had specifically been hit. At the same time, the regional warning system in the Oryol Oblast issued a warning overnight about the danger of a drone attack, and at 05:15, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations once again urged residents to remain vigilant.
What is the «Cymbula» base?»
The complex near Tsymbulova has become one of the largest known Russian launch sites for attack drones. According to satellite imagery, its territory covers approximately 2 by 4 km, and construction of the facility began back in 2024. By 2026, a system comprising launch pads, storage facilities, garages and ancillary infrastructure had been established there.
In September, Ukrmedia reported that the following might have been present on the complex’s premises over 100 UAVs and up to 16 launchers. The facility was also expanded to accommodate new jet-powered variants of Russian attack drones.
At the end of September, Russian regional media also reported on the further expansion of the base: the construction of new garages, shelters and launch pads, whilst some of the above-ground storage facilities were being moved underground. These reports were based on an analysis of satellite imagery.
«Cimbulova» had already been attacked in September
This is not the first strike on this target. 21 September 2026 The Ukrainian Defence Forces have officially confirmed damage to the storage facility, the preparation and deployment of attack UAVs in the Tsymbulova area.
At that time, the General Staff reported that at least three storage facilities, the outbreak of fires, damage to the launch site for jet-powered UAVs and five launchers. Following that strike, the Russian side continued to expand and fortify the complex, in particular by constructing new shelters and positions.
